Alleged leader of IS-linked group killed in Sarangani shootout

Updated @ 12:39 a.m., Oct. 23, 2018

KORONADAL CITY—A suspected leader of an Islamic State (IS)-inspired group was killed on Monday in a shootout with a joint police and military team in Maasim town, Sarangani province.

Bassir Sahak, the suspected leader of the special operations group of the IS-inspired Ansar al-Khilafa Philippines (AKP), was about to be arrested when he allegedly fired at the team at Barangay Daliao in Maasim, said Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, police regional office director.

Rasco said Sahak was involved in a Sept. 16 explosion at Barangay Apopong in General Santos City that wounded eight people. Sahak was charged with multiple frustrated murder in connection with the incident.

READ: 7 injured in General Santos City explosion

Sahak was with his father, Kupang Sahak, when they fought with the arresting team, said Supt. Adrin Gonzales, spokesperson for the regional police. The elder Sahak escaped and is now being hunted, Gonzales said.

He said the team recovered an M-16 rifle, bullets and bomb components from the encounter site.

Citing intelligence information, Gonzales said Sahak managed the finances of AKP, including the procurement of firearms and ammunition.

AKP is one of the groups in Mindanao that had pledged allegiance to IS, Gonzales said.

Sahak also had direct contact with the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu province and the Toraife faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao province, he said. /ee  /pdi